In my opinion, the regional industry changes drastically all the time. The only constant is change. Why tie yourself into some contract that may end up being a bad thing down the road? I'd rather keep my options open personally. And it will take you some time to build what you need. The industry will look a lot different by then.

Roll the dice, it's all **** luck

My two cents:

I would go for the regional that has these qualities:

Low time on reserve and a relatively fast upgrade so you can start logging TPIC asap.

Bases in cheap cities that will allow you to survive on first year pay.

Travel benefits for you and your family anywhere in the world (not just jumpseat agreement).

A relatively small pilot group so that you can become senior quicker (i.e any growing regional with a pilot count of over 1000 pilots may not be relatively small)

A regional that just enters or will be entering a growth spurt at the moment you get a class date is good too.

Based on this, my choices would be PSA and TSA. Do your research on them, and don't let anyone here who is biased or bitter try to get you down - at the end of the day, it's your life and career. If I were you, I'd get on with either TSA or PSA, get your hours, pay your dues and once you have 1000 TPIC, go to Emirates or any airline in Asia that's hurting for pilots and watch how you'll go from $50k/year to $200k/year in no time.

Just know your options are plenty, especially now. Good luck!

That's a good question. I'd ask in the Envoy forum.

Frank Doss, in TSA ground school, "Ya'all have just made the biggest mistake in your life"
Frank was right, and still is....

Wow, Frank. Now that is a name I haven't heard in a long time. Frank worked for Mike White as did all the old school TSA pilots.

New management, new philosophy, new company really. Don't take 15 year old advice in such a fluid industry.

That being said, in his day, at that time, Frank was right.

It's a crapshoot at envoy right now, but getting on board sooner rather than later could pay off pretty well. Personally, I see this place turning a corner following ratification of the TA. If your goal is to fly for a legacy, envoy will get you there as long as you're willing to wait around a few years!

Frank Doss is still teaching for TSA???? He was our ground school instructor in 1989 when I was at TSA.

Are you referring to flow to AA?
But how long is a "few years" for a guy joining today?

If I were searching for regional work I would choose from the airlines that are discussed(debated, argued, etc...) the least on this website. If the place is headline news on the regional forum more than likely its in turmoil...No news is good news sometimes.

As a VERY rough estimate, I'd say 7-8 years

Nope,
"Frank Was Right" wisdom of the ages, or aged. It was the only advice/observation that was ever offered that was accurate in this industry. On many days, I regret getting a commercial cert.

To each his own. I've worked in many industries and had many jobs. This is most definitely the best.

Right up to the point where its the worst. Let me know how it is after your 2nd or 3rd furlough.

Cool story bro.

I know people who are getting asked to leave the military due to downsizing with no transferable skills, at all, and aren't given a chance to return. I'd say that's worse.

lol wut?????

I can help clear up any confusion if you'd respond with actual words.

you do realize we had more pilots volunteer to get out early than spots available, right?

Also, very interested to hear about these non-transferable skills

He's not talking about pilots champ. Get on our level.

Cool reply bro.

So you know people, your point as it relates to the pilot business?
Military trained people of every sort are employable in the private sector. If they didn't hear about the RIF and prepare that's another story. Airline furloughs are a management tool for a multitude of reasons, most are just nasty.
I flew with UAL furloughs during the JetsForJobs program that allowed UAL to grow SKYW at the expense of the UAL pilot group. I made sure every single pilot knew that I was against what was was done to them. I was fortunate to fly with, every single UAL guy I went on a trip with. Every single one went out of their way to convey that they held their company responsible, and that I was as much a victim as they were. UAL was getting my services for 1/2 price and continues to get them today for the same bargain price, I am glad all the furloughees are back and making a good wage today.

30% of the Space officers from the 06 year group got the ax. Not a lot of demand right now for space X2 or range operations in the civilian world, don't you think?

You do realize most civilian companies will take them in a heartbeat solely for their leadership experience, right?

Anyone with those creds and isn't working is either dead, or a beach bum and both of those positions have a distinct advantage over airline flying.

Them? Me? Same category.

Point is, you have as much "leadership" experience flying an airplane as you do in a ROPS, or a SOPS.

For Mr Negative, I know a lot of people who planned on making the military a career and were forced to pack up their toys and go play somewhere else. The same can be said for a pilot. If you get furloughed, you're more than welcome to get a middle management supply chain management job like everyone else. Airlines aren't the worst job in the whole world. People lose their jobs. There's downsizing. It happens. That's what capitalism is all about. You don't like it, feel free to apply to work in a warehouse or selling medical supplies.

like it or not, no matter what job they worked in the military they had leadership experience that most companies find very valuable.

Dude, reading comprehension. I'm a reserve officer. I GET IT. I'm telling you. An airline pilot has equal responsibility and leadership experiences, especially a Captain, as most ops CGOs in the Air Force. If you get furloughed, you're more than welcome to pack up your family and move to Oklahoma, Kansas, or central PA to work for an energy company like those who had to leave the Air Force.

Sorry,
I have lived in the same house I bought in 1981, I have been furloughed, regional bases closed, companies go into BK, gone to trade school, had no medical and dental insurance, and paid cash for both Doctors. I did whatever it took to "Keep on Truckin" I have also commuted coast to coast, been forced to stay in base because there was no time to commute home, so whats your point? Life is hard, and if you are gonna be dumb you better be strong. The airline business is mercurial in the best of years, my point is its a tough industry and it chews people up like nothing else, military included.